Polaris Media reports strongest half-year results in years

Polaris Media has reported its strongest half-year results in several years, with an EBITDA of 150 million NOK for the first half of 2026. This represents a 45 million NOK increase compared to the first half of 2025.

In the second quarter alone, the company achieved an EBITDA of 96 million NOK, up 18 million NOK from the same period last year. CEO Per Axel Koch attributed the growth to strategic measures that reversed revenue trends in Swedish media houses and the positive impact of cost-cutting measures implemented in late 2025.

Key drivers included an 8 percent growth in user revenues in Norway and a 16 percent increase in digital user revenues overall. By the end of the quarter, the group had 492,500 fully digital subscriptions, an 8 percent increase year-over-year. While total advertising revenues fell by 4 percent, digital advertising revenues rose by 10 percent. In Sweden, digital advertising revenue saw a significant increase of 28 percent in local currency.

Koch, who previously announced he would step down as CEO within the next twelve months, noted that the company will continue to invest in journalism, technology, and artificial intelligence to enhance digital products.